THE British public will finally get its say on leaving the EU in a referendum in autumn next year, according to a former Cabinet Minister.

Andrew Lansley said he thought the Government will opt for the September poll to avoid clashing with local elections in May.

It would also mean the controversial issue can be done and dusted ahead of the Tory Party conference in October.

During a speech to business leaders last week former Health Secretary Mr Lansley forecast David Cameron would “choreograph” a row with the French government next spring to show voters he has secured a good deal with Brussels over EU reform.

Mr Cameron says he hopes to be able to recommend that Britain stays in the EU on the new terms he will negotiate in Brussels between now and the referendum.

Aides say he will not set a date for the vote until renegotiation is complete.

Mr Lansley, who is seeking to boost business backing for a vote to stay in the EU, is reported to have said: “UK public expectations from renegotiation need to be realistic – and be downplayed at the outset – and then be exceeded.

“Other EU governments should recognise the need for UK ‘wins’, preferably following some ‘rows’.”

An unnamed source at the business leaders’ event said Mr Lansley suggested there could be a “big row with the French” after the February EU summit and that things would be “choreographed”.

Mr Lansley who stood down as a Tory MP in May, was also said to have acknowledged it would be “a dramatic change of gear” to urge voters to stay in the EU after years of attacks on Brussels by top Conservatives.

We want a new deal with the EU because it’s hampering our ability to trade freely with the world

Ukip MP Douglas Carswell

Ukip MP Douglas Carswell, a former Tory, said: “Andrew Lansley has let the cat out of the bag.

“The Prime Minister’s clique is attempting to confect a completely artificial row to allow them to claim victories.

"The problem is that ‘the Cameroons’, who say they are modernisers, are playing politics like it is the mid-1990s.

"They are a quarter of a century behind where the public is.

“The public isn’t going to fall for this because euros-cepticism isn’t about being rude to foreigners.

"We want a new deal with the EU because it’s hampering our ability to trade freely with the world.

"It’s not about getting up the nose of the French president.

“All the rows in the world are not going to allow us to have the trade-only relationship with Europe that we are wanting.

“The majority of people will recognise that Cameron’s smoke and mirrors act does nothing to change our fundamental relationship.

"That’s why we should reject Dave’s deal.

“Cameron may take the British people for fools but they’re not.

He is carrying out a bogus negotiation with confected rows and it’s a charade but people will see through it.”

Whitehall sources insisted Mr Cameron was committed to genuine reform and had made clear the status quo with Europe was not acceptable.